Please dont let the Lakers win, thank you in advance.

 

Booo

 

David Stern in 7, but Orlando is going to put up an even bigger fight than advertised (by ESPN).

 

If the Lakers couldn't even pull away from teams like Utah (allowed the Jazz the opportunity to scrap their way back into almost every game), then I question how that mentality will bode with obviously what has become the most relentless team in basketball. This is going to be a very interesting series. When I looked at the potential matchup a few weeks back, I thought I'd sleep my way through watching Kobe Bryant finally holding up an NBA Finals MVP trophy 4-5 games into the series. No chance in hell. Orlando has been proving everyone (myself included) wrong since Jameer Nelson's season ending injury. I have no problem with that continuing up until this month's end. Really, I have no true hatred for the Lakers beyond my late blooming love fest for Carmelo Anthony... I just want to see some good basketball. I'm pretty confident that I'll have that chance.
What are you final predictions? Lakers / Magic & in how many games? Still going with Lakers in 7 because I think it's tougher for the road team to run the table at home in a 2-3-2 format than 2-2-1-1-1, and I do see Orlando stealing a game in LA. I just can't see them pulling off two, especially with the second being the decisive game of the series. I really can't see the Lakers losing three straight postseason games to ANYONE... regardless of location. I think Orlando has to win the three at home.

God. Even being a die hard fan of a team that benefited major from the 2-3-2... I really, really, really hate that format. Like why change it after three rounds?

 

I don't think they're that big an underdog. As you say, LA has those two regular season losses. Everything I've seen and heard suggests they're taking it to heart. Only thing really killing Lakers is complacency against a weak opponent (see Rockets series) and I don't quite see that here. I think both sides are going to be motivated for this one.

 

Kobe is going to get his regardless of the defense you throw at him. The best thing you can do is to ensure that he gets it in the toughest way possible. You know that when he's in attack mode he's going to get to the basket and the free throw line. When you foul him, foul him hard. Take a page out of Phil Jackson's book.

Worry about the rest of the team. Turn it into a one man show. As great as Kobe is, he can't beat you by himself. Orlando is too good. What you can't afford is guys like Trevor Ariza getting easy baskets and setting up for those spot up threes at the top of the key. I still have no idea on this earth why Denver didn't commit a guy on him every possession. Amateur job by George Karl.

 

Also, for the 15-25 minutes he's on the floor... the more Sasha Vujacic shoots, the better your chances.

 

Let's see if Gasol / Odom decide to dominate as second and third options.

 

2 more days!

 

i got the magic in six.

 

Thanks. Of the two teams I wanted to us to play against, it was Cleveland. Knocked them off twice when they were on a roll in the regular season and they weren't even close. Granted it's the playoffs which is why I'm certain it's going to be a real brawl. It's pretty much coming down to who makes their 3's. Of course I'm going Lakers in 6 since I'll be at Staples. :up:

 

On and off really. Sometimes he misses easy ones. Other times he hits a fall-away with a hand in his face and a hand on the elbow. Honestly, I'm surprised LO is hitting his 3's with regularity. Someone in the Lakers staff knows how to coach 3's because Ariza suddenly developed it the same way Brian Cook did way back.

 

kobe likes to start driving to the basket, pull up and hit the J. It's nearly indefensible (as it is generally a very tough shot). He's not really a big 3 shooter, though he'll certainly put some up throughout the series. Fisher likes to hoist the 3. This certainly will come down to the support he has, and to see if people like Gasol, Bynum and Fisher can hit their shots. Also, bench points (Odom, Farmar, Walton) will count big time, as that was an area where cleveland just could not even come close to rivaling orlando.

if I had to guess, I would say lakers in 6. they win their first 2, take one of 3 in orlando, then win game 6. But i see game 6 being a losable game too for the lakers.... we will see

 

Vujacic's 3's have been markedly improved late in the Denver series. He needs to shake off the bad missed one against the Magic in the regular season as well as keep the shooting going along to contribute. Else, Shannon Brown will get the minutes (the one player who wasn't in any of their regular season series).

 

Lakers had some trouble against Anderson and Nene's shot-blocking so I'm sure we'll have our hands full with Dwight.

 

Can't wait for Jalen Rose's expertise on Lamar Odom's candy addiction.

ESPN sure knows how to run with a story about nothing.

 

I am so far ahead that I can afford to "throw away" $200 on the magic in this series.

I might do it...some of these lines are ridiculous...MGM has it at -450 lakers? WTF!

is that right?

 

yeah i saw that last night. reminds me why i never watch espn. i thought i'd tune in since they would be talking about the finals. nooooo, i had to sift through a bunch of crap about the yankees, nadal and if lebron was a sore loser or not to finally get some "in depth" analysis about lamar odom eating life savers.

 

yeah, i got the magic winning game one also (at least winning one of the first two). for all the talk of lakers' experience, they stunk it up in the finals last year. (i could be wrong, but i remember them allowing the biggest comeback in finals history, and then in the elimination game losing by the biggest margin in history)

also, orlando has the 2-0 regular season edge (albeit with nelson).

 

wow Bunch of Laker fans on here all of a sudden

 

I still can't believe the Magic have made it this far and could win it all.
The thought of one of my favorite teams winning a championship gives me chills.

 

???

i only see the ones that have always has been here

 

lots of new people on the board all of a sudden? :confused2:

 

Tomorrow night!asakjsasee!!!!#e@@#k@j#k@jk#@k#j!!!!!